Geoprofessional Women's Group

Geoprofessional Women's Group

Summary:

The GBA Geoprofessional Women's Group (GWG) podcast features a panel of women with 5–30+ years of experience discussing the group's founding, purpose, and vision. GWG aims to address ongoing isolation, retention, and leadership gaps for women in the geoprofessional industry. Panelists discuss mentorship, career pivots, work-life balance, imposter syndrome, and the power of cross-firm networking. The group, already 40 members strong, aspires to become a recognized resource for women's leadership in the AEC industry.

Takeaways:

• Women still frequently face isolation, even as industry gender gaps narrow
• Dedicated peer networks improve retention more than internal firm resources alone
• Mentorship across career stages benefits mentors and mentees equally
• Career pivots are normal and do not represent failure or wasted experience
• Parenthood builds transferable leadership skills, not career liabilities
• Imposter syndrome often signals growth, not inadequacy
• Women tend to understate accomplishments; visibility requires intentional practice
• In-person connection builds trust virtual meetings cannot easily replicate
• GBA's cross-firm openness uniquely enables honest, competitive-barrier-free dialogue
• Early initiatives include a retention playbook, mentorship matching, and school outreach

Steering Committee

The GWG is guided by a steering committee of engaged women leaders across GBA member firms, including:

• Liz Brown, PE (JLT Consultants)
• Shana Carroll, PE, LEED BD+C (D.W. Kozera)
• Catherine Ellis, MBA, PE, GE (Shannon & Wilson)
• Cassandra Langley (GBA)
• Keri Nutter, CPG (DOWL)
• Laura Register, PE, F.GBA (Terracon)
• Carrie Rodriguez, PE, GE (BSK Associates)

Calls-to-action:

• Learn More About the GWG
• Visit the GBA Website at https://www.geoprofessional.org for other training resources and reference materials and/or to become a member.
• Visit https://www.gbapodcast.com for future Podcast Episodes
• Contact us at info@geoprofessional.org with any podcast-related questions or comments

Subscribe

• Subscribe to the GBA Podcast https://www.gbapodcast.com/subscribe

This episode was produced by the following GBA Members:

• Tim Rodriguez – COO/BSK Associates
• Ryan White, PE, GE – Principal Geotechnical Engineer/Apex Companies, LLC